Mount Etna Case Study

Question 1

Why is Mount Etna called a Decade Volcano?

Answer 1

1. Erupted since 2001 every year.

2. Has been active since 5,000 years ago

Question 2

Mount Etna is what type of volcano?

Answer 2

Composite Stratovolcano at 3,310 m high.

Question 3

Tectonic setting of Mount Etna is…

Answer 3

Structurally complex and not fully understood.

Question 4

Hazards from Mount Etna are?

Answer 4

1. Seismic activity connected with eruptive activity.
2. Gas plume emissions, dust and ashfalls.
3. Flank collapse and opening fissures for lava flows.
4. Phreatic eruptions - steam-driven explosions of water, ash blocks and lava bombs.

Question 5

Impact of the events were?

Answer 5

1. 77 deaths in total - 2 being accidental.
2. 2002, lava flows reached tourist station at Piano Provenzana.
3. 2007, lava spews out at 400m high
4. Catania Airport was forced to close on 29 July 2002.

Question 6

Management strategies included…

Answer 6

The INGV have monitored the volcano for 20 years…

1. Geochemical monitoring programmes to test gas and fluid emissions to help predictions.
2. Permanent network of remote sensors, such as gravimetric sensors, with real-time connection to acquisition centres in Catania.
3. Dams of soil have been put to protect tourist base at Rifugio Sapienza.
4. The routinely measured SO2 plume flux from the summit craters by correlation spectrometry by ground vehicle and occasionally by helicopter.